Rookie paces Bulldogs past Redcoats
Colin Walters has made an immediate positive impact on the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs this season.
The 14-year-old, Grade 9 student has played a variety of positions for the Bulldogs as a rookie, ranging from attack to midfield to pole.
Walters netted three goals Wednesday to pace the Bulldogs past the Governor Simcoe Redcoats 7-2 in the Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association Zone 4 field lacrosse final at Simcoe.
The Bulldogs now host the Holy Cross Raiders, champions of the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association, Thursday at 10 a.m. for the right to go to the Southern Ontario Secondary School Association (SOSSA) AA playdowns next week in Hagersville.
Walters was happy to be able to contribute under such pressure conditions.
“It was a do or die game and we had to win it, there was nothing else to it,” he said.
Walters began the game on attack before moving to pole later.
“Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll be it,” he said. “I like pole or attack because you’re either scoring goals or stopping guys.”
Sir Winston coach Adam Arkell said Walters is part of a core of impressive rookies for the Bulldogs.
“These kids play lacrosse pretty much all year around and they’re always training so as soon as I heard the word these Grade 9 kids were coming in — not just Walters, but the other three as well — it’s no surprise,” he said. “What is a surprise is how much they have stepped up. I knew they would be a factor, but they have been a big factor.
“Having a strong young class of kids makes a big difference.”
Walters has played the box version of the sport since he was three and only recently took up the field game.
“I started playing field two years ago,” he said. “When I was little, I always watched it with my dad and I wanted to start playing it. As I got older I didn’t really know a lot about field but I started watching it and getting into it.”
Walters isn’t the biggest player and admits it can be difficult to take on opposing players who are considerable older and larger.
“It’s definitely intimidating coming out knowing the guys are bigger and stronger, but you just have to push through and do what you can do,” he said.
Arkell appreciates Walters’ ability to play multiple positions.
“It’s helpful they are versatile. To have a lot of kids who can play a lot of places can make a difference,” he said.
Arkell was pleased with the effort and chance to get to SOSSA.
“We were definitely playing some good ball. The boys are coming out and giving it their all and playing with heart and that’s all you can ask for as coach.
“There are couple of things we can tighten up on but at the end of the day they are playing good lacrosse and it’s showing on the scoresheet.”
The Redcoats were missing four of their top players.
STATS PACK
Bulldogs 7 Redcoats 2
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Player of the Game: Sir Winston’s Colin Walters with three goals.
Sir Winston Churchill: Walters 3; Keaton Zavitz; Carter Geffroy; Liam Armstrong; Braeden Hill.
Governor Simcoe Redcoats: Colton Armitage; Brady Bearisto.
Up next: The Bulldogs take on the Holy Cross Raiders Thursday at 10 a.m. at home for the Zone 4 AA championship at right to advance to SOSSA.
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